The potential main event of NXT Great American Bash 2023 is all set after the latest episode of NXT from the WWE Performance Center, last night. As seen on the show, Ilja Dragunov scored a clean victory over the dominant former NXT Champion Bron Breakker in a number-one contender’s match to earn the title match opportunity.
As a result of the stipulation of the match, Ilja’s win over Breakker earned him the potential main event slot against reigning NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes at the NXT Great American Bash 2023 event.
WWE NXT Great American Bash 2023: Title Match To Be Changed After Latest Announcement?
During the match, Breakker caught Ilja mid-air with a Spear and went for a pin. Dragunov somehow kicked out of it and landed a powerbomb, Breakker kicked out and came back with a clothesline before going for another Spear. Dragunov caught him with a knee and a second Torpedo Moskau for the clan pin-fall win. Thus, Ilja will now compete in his first PLE NXT championship match by the end of this month at NXT Great American Bash 2023.
Meanwhile, the loss marked Bron Breakker’s downfall on WWE NXT programming. Most recently, he failed to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship from Seth Rollins at NXT Gold Rush. It happened after he called out the top main roster superstar back to Tuesday nights.
Dragunov has been after the current NXT Champion, Carmelo Hayes even before the latter had a short feud with Baron Corbin over the past few weeks. Corbin eventually failed to capture the title during the NXT: Gold Rush special, last week. This week, Corbin was spotted allying with a mystery persona.
Carmelo Hayes defeated Bron Breakker at NXT Stand & Deliver, this past April to become the new NXT champion. Since becoming the champion, he became a babyface and successfully defended against Breakker and Corbin. NXT Great American Bash 2023 will mark his third overall championship defense.
WWE NXT Great American Bash 2023 PLE Match Card
NXT Great American Bash 2023 premium live event will take place on July 30 at the HEB Center in Cedar Park, Texas. The current match card for the event goes as follows,
– NXT Championship Match: Carmelo Hayes (c) vs. Ilja Dragunov
– NXT North American Championship Match: Wes Lee (c) vs. Mustafa Ali